About Danes Hill

Danes Hill School is widely recognised as one of the leading co-educational day preparatory schools in the country. Situated in 55 acres of landscaped ground in the village of Oxshott, Surrey, Danes Hill provides boys and girls aged 3 to 13 with a broad and balanced curriculum.

Admissions

Choosing a new and, perhaps, first school for your child can be a daunting but extremely rewarding task. The choice of the most appropriate school can seem an impossibly difficult decision to make but, in our experience, parents should trust their own judgement - you know your own children best and we are here to guide you through every step of the way.

Danes Hill Life

Danes Hill encourages boys and girls to become confident, articulate individuals by providing them with values, skills and a desire for learning ready to take on the challenges of the next stage of their education and life beyond. Their school life will be full of wonderful experiences and achievements.

Pre-Prep

The first three years of school - Mini Transition, Transition and Reception - are together called the Early Years. Bevendean is Danes Hill Pre-Prep school and here, we aim to help all children to take their first learning steps in comfort, safety and confidence.

Prep

The Main School is divided into the Lower School (Years 2 and 3), Middle School (Years 4 and 5), and Upper School (Years 6 to 8), each with its own Head, its own assemblies and traditions, and very much its own ethos. Children are encouraged to feel allegiance to their own particular section of the school, and this sectional subdivision ensures that the school never feels overwhelmingly big.

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Educating the whole child

Our mission is to develop young people with active and creative minds, a sense of understanding and compassion for others, and the courage to act on their beliefs. We stress the total development of each child: spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional and physical.

FAQ's

Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions. We hope you find them useful.

Personal tours generally include a visit to both the Bevendean (Pre-Prep) and Main School sites, if appropriate. We always endeavour to give prospective parents the chance to meet our Headmaster during their visit. The tour generally take place on three mornings each week during term time but, if this proves inconvenient, we will do everything we can to arrange a day and time to suit.

Most prospective parents we meet like to view Danes Hill on their own in the first instance. The tour gives you the opportunity to get a feel for Danes Hill and to decide whether it is an environment that feels right for your child. It’s real chance to see what Danes Hill has to offer and will give you a thorough insight into Danes Hill life.

Children joining Year 3 and above will attend a Taster Morning from 9am – 1pm. Children registered for entry into Year 7 will be invited to attend a Taster Day. During this visit the children will sit tests in English and Maths, join in with class activities and have lunch.

We aim to make the morning/day as enjoyable as possible. No preparation is needed for the tests – the children are encouraged to answer the questions to the best of their ability!

Our School Registrar, Carolyn Ward, will inform you of any specific timings and will also explain what the day will involve. For example, what activities/lessons your child may take part in. Children visiting for the day usually wear their normal school uniform and will be asked to bring their pencil case and if needed, their sports kit. Again, you will be fully informed prior to the day of what your child should expect.

If you attend a Taster Day, your child will take English and Maths tests. The results of these, along with any accompanying school reports and other information are also taken into account. The Headmaster will then take all these into consideration before an offer is made. The Headmaster’s decision is final.